If you have an achy tooth or gum and your dentist's first opening is in a week or two, a dab of clove oil can offer some temporary relief while you're waiting to get it looked at by a professional. Just a dab on a cotton swab on the tooth or area that hurts and after a few minutes, it'll be good and numb.

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Clove oil isn't for everyone though, as The New York Times' Well blog notes. It has an extremely strong smell and taste, and while it's been used as a topical analgesic for generations (you have have heard this tip from your grandmother), in too large quantities it can have some unpleasant side effects. That's why most people who suggest it note that you should only use a dab, and you should avoid using it for prolonged periods—in other words, it's no substitute for seeing a dentist.

Hit the article below for more detail on why this works, and to read about a 2006 study published in The Journal of Dentistry where researchers conducted a blind study with a clove gel, topical benzocaine, and a placebo. Long story short, the researchers found participants who got the clove gel fared just as well as those who got benzocaine.